Appeals are being made to those involved in Silage harvesting to put in place safe systems of working. The Department of Agriculture and the IFA have both appealed for farmers and silage contractors to plan ahead, identify the risks, and take action to mitigate them to ensure a safe harvest for everyone.
The Department is advising that all involved should be properly trained, all machinery should be in good repair with necessary protective guards in place and that all involved understand the work practices being expected.
With the silage cutting season underway, the IFA is appealing to drivers of farming machinery and other road users to share the road safely. The IFA is renewing it’s annual appeal for motorists to be on the lookout for tractors, trailers and other agricultural machinery exiting from fields and farmyards. The farming body is also asking anyone driving farm machinery, especially on rural roads, to cut back on their speed, not to get distracted and understand that around every corner could be a neighbouring family or friend out for a walk or a cycle.
Farmers are also asked to be aware of traffic building up behind them and to allow other vehicles to pass safely whenever possible.
